Top 7 Food Additives to Avoid

Additives are found everywhere in our packaged products but what do those little numbers mean and which ones should you look out for? Here are our top 7 list of food additives to avoid:  

1. Aspartame # 951 C found in Diet Foods & diet soft drinks, equal,

Linked to many health problems including cancer, asthma, nausea, depressions, hyperactivity, seizures.  Causes dizziness, headaches & hallucinations

2. Olestra (Fat substitute) found in chips, crackers (no fat/reduced fat)

Linked to diarrhoea cramps, flatulence, increases appetite, decrease the ability for fat soluble vitamins to be absorbed.

3. Erythrosine #E127 (red) found in jams, sugar lollies, toppings & fillings, red cordials and soups

Linked to concentration issues, increase in hyperactivity in kids, nerve toxin

4. MSG #621 found in Chinese, salad dressings, soups, chips

Linked to Asthma, hyperactivity, depression, mood changes, sleeplessness, nausea, migraine, linked to infertility, teratogen, convulsions, abdominal discomfort. See text re other hidden sources of MSG

Causes headaches, dizziness, migraines, convulsions

5. Sodium Nitrate #251/250 found in Bacon, ham, salami, corned beef, hot dogs

Linked to Hyperactivity, behavioral problems, asthma, headaches, dizziness, possible carcinogen. Prohibited in foods for infants and young children.

6. Sulfites #222/223/228 eg: sodium bisulphite (222) Found in wine, beer and dried fruit

Linked to migraines and asthma attacks in some people

7.  Tartrazine #E102 (yellow) found in lollies, desserts, cereal and soft drinks

Linked to Hyperactivity, behavioral problems, skin rashes, migraines and thyroid problems.

Remember they won’t always be listed under these names or numbers, for example Tartrazine #E102 is listed as FD&C yellow 5 or C.I. 19140. Be consumer aware & download the free app Additive Alert!

For more information on becoming consumer aware with your foods contact us at admin@naednutrition.com.au

Cacao VS Cocoa

Cacao, Cocoa - same same but different right? Not quite and here is why...

	Cacao	Cocoa
What is?	Cacao is a raw superfood that comes from cacao beans. It is the purest form	Cocoa is cacao, roasted
What nutrients is it high in?	Antioxidants Magnesium Iron Potassium Zinc Healthy fats Fibre Protein	Less of each nutrient when compared to cacao particularly fibre and healthy fats
Pros	Promotes cardiovascular health Improves mood Reduces insulin resistance Very high source of antioxidants Excellent source of nutrients	Slightly less health benefit due to heating procedure
Cons	Bitter and rich in flavour	Mostly teamed with high sugar, milk fats, hydrogenated oils and artificial flavourings in products
Most common forms	Powder Nibs Butter	Powder

Which one do I pick?

The rawest form of the food is the best option. When making your own hot chocolates, smoothies, protein balls or dessert the raw cacao (organic if you can) is your best option in terms of health, longevity and a fat loss. Majority of cheap cocoa powders are going to be teamed with sugars. When choosing an item premade your cacao is always going to be better – just be sure to check what it is teamed with (hydrogenated oils/ sugars etc.)

Need a healthy chocolate fix? Try our Crunchy Protein Balls recipe

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